Schwarzkopf Elementary School

18333 Calusa Trace Boulevard

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 14, 2019

My children have been going here for 5 years and I have nothing negative to say. All the teachers and staff have been absolutely amazing!!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2019

I feel that the teachers that my child had did whatever they wanted to do, regardless of whether that was in line with school and district policy, parent and community values, or what is considered to be age appropriate for the child. Concerns about that were met with hostility or were widely disregarded. My child's teachers sent home a letter at the beginning of the year saying that their preferred communication was by email, but when I emailed them, they often didn't respond. When they did respond, the communication was hostile to the point that I wish I hadn't bothered. My son's language arts teacher favored pop fiction intended for a much older audience in class, rather than any of the great works of child literature, and there was no communication about that to families until it was too late. Any disagreement or dislike of anything that happened in class was literally recorded on a behavior sheet as disrespect. The reviews that stated that this school expects robot-like behavior and blind compliance are accurate. My child's class even had assigned seats in the cafeteria. It was a very stressful environment, and unnecessarily so.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

Very good. Knowledgeable & caring teachers who are very dedicated
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2018

Horrible school to attend if you are black, they will treat you like you are beneath them
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2018

I will have to say my experience with the teachers and the administrative staff at the Schwarzkopf Elementary School has been absolutely Pleasant and acceptable!
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2017

The education system requires to create robotic, mute, obeying generations. In this school I point the same problem, kids must be quiet. Expressing their ideas, or talk out their minds, and stand out for themselves is prohibited. Especially in recess and lunch time which kids need to relax and take a break of classes, they are constantly facing punishment and discipline for talking, walking, laughing etc.. Especially lunch stuff is terrorizing kids by yelling in their face, and whistling in their ears!! Another thing is the PE coach does not want to understand some kids have some health problems, and sometimes parents do not want to give their kids medications, which gives kids temporary relief when exercising but harm kids in long term. PE coach needs to understand and give some break to this kids, instead teasing, and being rude to them. Overall teachers, front desk administration, and principal are great to kids; lunch, recess and PE stuff needs to be improved.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

This school is the absolute best. They recognized that my 10-year-old was gifted when other schools didn't. They also helped my stepdaughter who is 8 (that we got custody of) go from first grade level to third grade level in her third-grade year. Her previous school was moving her along without any assistance, but that's before she came to live with us and before she went to Schwartzkopf. The staff is phenomenal at the school, I feel they really care about their students and want them to be successful.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2014

My children started in this school and are flourishing! The teaching has been excellent and the engagement of the teachers has been just fantastic. I an a pretty involved parent and I work with public education in the state. Gotta say, Schwarzkopf is a a great place. Like anything else, the good news about schools today is that we as parents have options. We do need to take a minute to understand what educational structure or school will work best for our children and their specific needs, both educationally and emotionally. I think that as parents and as people who respond to comment on these forums, we have to make sure that we are separating our children's needs and a school's performance. For me, this school is excellent!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

It took me a long time to finally write this review, because I understand that there is good and bad in every school and not every parent/child's experience will be the same. However, after two years, I have come to the conclusion that this school is AVERAGE at best. It's not the worst, but it is far from a great experience for a child. I don't have enough room here to fully explain the whys and hows, but if you send your child here, I believe you will be in agreement on the following points: 1. Militant, robotic structure--meant to get kids to behave, but kills the nature of Kindergarteners and Grades 1-2. The chance for kids to be free (within reason) should be recess and lunchtime, but the controlling culture of this school destroys even those brief moments of release. The cafeteria staff are overzealous in their use of power to intimidate the kids. 2. Overemphasis on busywork instead of stimulating and inspiring naturally inquisitive minds. Less time micro-managing via 'behavior charting' /organizing colored folders/BOOSTERTHON, and more time actually teaching. 3. If your child has an issue, the fa ade is a listening one, but you are on your own. Wish I had more room....
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2014

This school is substandard and sneaky with their grading-'good' kids are those considered as favorites by staff- We had severe issues wherein a disabled child was NOT taken seriously and maltreated by teachers in disbelief. We actually had CPS do an investigation of the matter, and chose to leave there and transfer to another much better school site with compassionate intelligence.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2014

I've had 2 children attend K-5th at Schwarzkopf, one "graduated" last year and the other this year. Overall I was very pleased with the school. On average the teachers administration very were good. I would recommend the school.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

Great school. My son has been there almost six years now and it has been a great experience for him. The teachers are kind and caring. It is a wonderful environment for the kids
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2014

My child attended Schwarzkopf Elementary for a few years. I could not keep my child there one more year. The school was such a disappointment. They gave busy work in school and for homework. My child was far from excited to learn and was always bored. They do not challenge or motivate the "good" students. We are attending a different school now and my child has never been happier.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2014

This school is fantastic! I moved in from out of state a while ago and I have to say that the first school that my child went to was a disappointment compared to Connecticut schools. However, I knew from my first phone call to the school that this school was fantastic! The office staff are very polite and readily answer all questions with ease. I have not heard my daughter mention any bullying either, which makes me feel more secure in the school as a whole. Ms Evarts is a phenomenal teacher, she challenges my child and helps my child succeed! I also appreciate the communications through email from the teacher because I work a hectic schedule, but she always notifues me of topics regarding my daughter that are relevant to me! A+ school!!!
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

i have 2 children in this school. Both are doing well. My main concern about this school is they hold children back. one of my children is very advanced in math, science and reading. so advanced she/he recieves perfect scores on fcat each year. They will not allow my child to test out to skip a grade, so each day my child sits bored to tears. My other student has an iep and has had difficulty with teachers not wanting to be flexible in my childs learning style. This school is intent on keeping robotic teachers just because they have taught for a long time. There are only a few bad seeds but those bad teachers have a huge impact. My child with the iep, had to be removed from a class because the teacher refused to comply with iep recommendations. There is still another teacher my child came in contact with that constantly yells and seems generally unhappy. This teacher never smiles and behaves like a robot. Thankfully, this wasnt a permanent assignment , it was only a special event. I have to say MOST of the teachers are great, but this school needs some changes. The principle seems uninvolved and lets the vice handle most everything...
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2013

Unfortunately the same person who now seems absolutely psychotic keeps giving the school a one star review. If you look beyond the same one star review the same person gives it three times Schwarzkopf ranks well. It's no wonder their poor kid can't get a decent education, look at the parent.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2013

All 3 of my children have attended Schwarzkopf - my last going into 5th grade next year. It is a wonderful school - the teachers are dedicated and the leadership is responsive. As a parent, it is very important that you are involved and know what is going on. I would like to see Edline implemented which is a great tool used at the middle/HS level. Also, extra-curricular activities could be improved. The last couple of years they had mini-courses such as Spanish or Fitness that would occur after school (for a fee) but they didn't offer it this year. All in all, it is a great school with wonderful teachers and I would highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2012

They are awful! They are a hands off kind of school. They send home graded paperwork that shows 100% when actually it's incorrect. This gives a mixed message to the students. They send work home that is not even finished! They do not grade work with incorrect spelling nor practice spelling at all. They tell parents "the school does not feel this is as important". This is a life skill needed for our future adults. The 5 years our children have attended we have had each teacher tell us:This is not how we do things...It's out of our control...I do not have time. They do not give consequences to kids who do act out as it would break their spirit . The Principle,Vice, and counselors are rarely there when asking to speak to them & never return calls. Any kind of paperwork you do get from the school (Wednesday's) it's about asking for money, not based on education. The smart kids do get left behind, are ignored, bored, & are not challenged. They never smile, they always look put out, and agitated when picking up our children. Drive by yourself & take a peek at this demeanor. At the end of each year you are given a paper to grade the school & the staff. It's been low marks each year.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2012

We just found out that the homework that our daughter was bringing home (without being graded) the students graded their own work! The teacher does not look at it either. We also found out that the homework we take the time with, after a busy day at work, does not count for a grade. The teacher informed us this is a school policy. What?!?